Commemorating Anzac Day in Hong Kong
(HONG KONG, 25 April 2021) – The Australian and New Zealand communities have Anzac Day in a private ceremony at the Australian International School Hong Kong, to remember the generations of service personnel who have served and made sacrifice in defence of Australia and New Zealand.
Anzac Day, 25 April, is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It is the anniversary of the first major military action fought by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in Gallipoli, Turkey during World War One. Of the 60,000 Australians who fought in the fruitless eight-month campaign, around 26,000 were wounded and around 8,000 were killed.
The Australian and New Zealand Consuls-General first laid wreaths at the Cenotaph in Central and then paid tribute to servicemen buried at the Sai Wan War Cemetery in Chai Wan. They were then met by the Consuls-General of Turkey and the United Kingdom, and key representatives of Australian and New Zealand communities at the private commemoration at the Australian School.
“The Anzac story is one of loss and sacrifice. We are here today not to celebrate or glorify war, but rather, to remember and honour those who have served our country during conflict and crisis. They have contributed so much in shaping the identity of our nation,” Australian Consul-General Elizabeth Ward said.
“Our remembrance this year again is very different to what we are accustomed to, given the ongoing restrictions on group gatherings. But the way we remember can change. It is what we remember that counts.”
Among those buried at Sai Wan War Cemetery are 33 Australians and one New Zealander. Each was brought here for burial from other theatres in the Pacific. Members of the public are welcome to pay tributes at Sai Wan War Cemetery at their leisure, while observing official requirements on group gatherings.
Anzac Day services are held in almost every city and town across Australia and New Zealand and in many countries around the world. But this year, government-led commemorations overseas, including at Gallipoli, have been cancelled due to COVID-19.
*Note to Editors:
Photos from this morning’s service are available for download at http://bit.ly/ACGHK-AnzacDay21.